Location: Planet Velmora
The Transport ship descended with a soft hiss, the familiar humming of the engines cut off as the massive ship came to a complete stop. The landing zone was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos of the battlefield and the clamour of the space stations that Wein had grown accustomed to.
He stepped out and felt the fresh air of Velmora, he could feel his body had become lazy unbothered by the constant surveillance needed by an officer in the army.
Wein stood still for a moment, his boots firmly planted on the cold tarmac of the platform, suitcase clutched in his left hand and the other free.
His suitcase was different from the one he used when he went up, this time it was bigger and better. It had everything that was his, his uniforms, and items he had gathered throughout the years.
It had been four years since Wein was first sent to his deployment and he had gone on a number of missions since then.
The number and experience were enough to promote him to a 5-star Trooper and a lieutenant at that.
But now he was home and no longer on duty.
…
Wein stepped forward, the area was clear and quiet, and the path went on for meters with no vehicle in sight, ahead he could see a cab waiting for him by the curb.
Its sleek black frame reflected the light of the sun that had begun to sink on the afternoon sky. The driver, an older man with silver hair and a weathered face, waved at Wein as he approached.
Wein had been notified what would happen prior, he knew who would pick him up and send him to his new home. He was not surprised when he saw the man wave at him.
The big suitcase rolled behind him, it appeared to look heavy, but Wein showed no signs of discomfort. He had grown more masculine, and in his uniform was akin to the definition of the 'military man'.
"Welcome Sir," the driver said with a low grunt, his voice was rough but kind.
Wein could see the acknowledgement from the man's eyes. It was no surprise at his age he must have seen many men like Wein come and go for the honour of serving their lord and home.
Seeing a Trooper return after serving brought pride to him.
"I have been notified and informed about everything. I will now take you to your home."
He reached out for Wein's suitcase and put it behind the truck of the cab. It was so heavy he had to use two hands.
Wein entered and sat in the back seat of the cab. He rolled down the windows as the driver started the cab.
The cab's engine hummed to life, and the vehicle lifted off smoothly, gliding through the air but close to the ground. Wein stared through the window, watching the city in the distance as everyday life took effect.
The cab glided through the massive streets and entered deeper into the city. Wein could see the multiple sky-high city buildings through the window and the people outside going about their everyday lives.
Velmora was a unique planet, compared to most planets in the Empire and the galaxy, it was not a futuristic influenced society. Where you would expect towers of technological buildings and facilities with acres and acres of metal over the surface, were normal homes and limited technology.
The perfect description of Velmora was, it was a hybrid between the Victorian Era and a small influence of modern-looking futuristic technology.
By this it meant, the buildings found all over the planet of businesses and homes were akin to those found in the Victorian Era. The only noticeable difference was that there was an influence of alien technology integrated such as flying cars.
Some of the buildings were tall, reaching the clouds others were massive taking lands, while others were inaccessible and required hover ships or cars to fly to.
Additionally, there was modern technology like electricity, electric signs, and modern facilities. These were hung on the sides of the roads and buildings advertising and informing the passing people.
The cities of Velmora were all advanced technologically and could fit in with the rest of the galaxy. The only difference was that they felt different, like they were from a different era, it was not just the buildings but the fashion the people wore.
Similarly, the fashion in Velmora was a hybrid between Victorian Era and modern fashion. Many people wore those stylised suits while women wore thinner but elegant dresses. That is the more wealthy people, the less fortunate wore what they could afford.
When it came to transportation, most of the hovercars were similar in build and were leaning more into modern style than Victorian.
There were many modes of transportation on this planet.
There were hover buses, trains, and ships that flew ahead, they were mostly forbidden from flying on ground level to limit traffic congestion.
Because of the similarity and the uniformity between the cars and the buses, coupled with the atmosphere of the Victorian feel, there was a beautiful style and trend in Velmora that was unfound in other territories of the galaxy.
…
Velmora was a beautiful planet to look at, it had an enviable culture but there were some drawbacks within it too that made it unsightly.
From the corner of his eyes, Wein could see in passing that the baron neglected his duties as lord over the city and planet.
Because of the high crime rate, which Wein had experienced, there were many sketchy people in the dark corners of the alleyways along with the poor who were aimless. Poverty along with homelessness and plagued the cities of Velmora.
…
The cab zoomed through the streets and went to the freeway which was filled with other cars, buses, and scooters. After time it was in the forefront at great speeds, zooming through the traffic.
Wein watched as the city was behind him, being hidden from view. Up in the sky, he could see sleek cargo ships and small, private transports zipping to and from the city. Even higher up he saw the gargantuan silhouettes of mega ships as if they were surveying the surface.
"You know where to go right" Wein finally spoke, he did not know where his new home would be. "You were given the directions?"
"Yes sir" replied the old man, his eye connected with Wein's in the rearview mirror.
Wein rested his back, looking out the window once more.
The cab went on for what seemed forever as the road stretched on endlessly, winding between trees and facilities on the road and then it came to its destination.
The place where the elites of elites in the whole Barony had homes and estates. This was one of the many places from many other cities in the planet.
The cab had entered the suburbs of Eclipseon the capital of Velmora, Echelon District .
To qualify to enter, there were some severe security protocols hat had to be followed without question but since Wein was a special case, they were able to enter much more easily.
Once inside they encountered a serene and quiet way of life vastly different from the city and countryside. Like the city, the suburbs had a Victorian aesthetics to them but there was a calm atmosphere that was boasted wealth and power.
On the sides there were many massive estates, some were lone covering acres of land and some combined together. Others were tall stretching to the sky and had landing platforms on their tops.
The whole suburban area was massive, it was like a small city in itself, but it was still part of Eclipseon.
The cab had not reached Wein's home after driving for what seemed like hours, passing through these multiple homes. On the side, Wein spotted the ocean, at the distance connected to the area, he could see water-bound ships heading to the city's port others on their voyages.
Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the cab reached Wein's new estate, it slowed down and came to a stop in front of a large gate.
It was hard to see further but besides the gates, were interface platform which the drivers could converse with.
The old man interacted with it offering credentials and got in.
The gates themselves were high and fortified, made of black iron, with sharp angular designs that gleamed in the setting sun.
The cab passed through without a hitch, there were no security guards yet, but they were not needed. Something told Wein it was still very much secure without them.
"We are here" the old man spoke as he glided passed the gates and onto the long, sweeping driveway that led up to the mansion.
Wein's eyes scanned everything as it came into view.
The mansion stood as a striking blend of old-world elegance and modern world influence. Its tower, ornate spires and rooftops were made from polished dark metal alloys, gleaming with a faint glow, while intriguing patterns of vines wrapped around the whole building.
The mansion was much larger than he had ever pictured, the thought of him owning and living there was unreal. Sure, it was smaller and more simple compared to the others he had just seen, but the building was too much even for him.
Wein studied the mansion from the window of the cab, the walls and compound were very secure and futuristic for a Victorian-era estate. The whole place had high-tech security systems on the sides that did not stand out too much and took away from the aesthetic.
The area around was green and clean with not a hint of pollution compared to the city he had seen.
The cab passed through a fountain with spring water in a Cal de sac and came to a stop in front of the mansion. The cab hovered for a while and then descended and lay on the ground, making a soft hum and then silence.
The door slid open, Wein stepped out and marvelled once more at the mansion, there was no movement from the inside. The air was refreshing and pleasant to smell the fragrance of nature, a stark difference from what he was used to both off-world and during training.
The driver pulled his suitcase up to him and handed it back to him.
"I apologise I don't have anything to give you," said Wein, he realised he did not have money to give to himself.
"I was already paid, sir. Right I'll be on my way."
Wein nodded as the driver entered his cab started it up again and drove away.
He was now alone once more staring at the massive house that would be his forever unless he sold it. Come to think of it he should be very rich now, compared to the average Trooper he was deployed for four whole years. He had to have gained a bonus.
He couldn't wait to check it.
Wein approached the mansion, when he reached a certain distance there was a light that appeared running up and down his face.
"Scanning… please place your hand on the console and let your eyes be scanned" spoke a cold familiar voice. Wein could remember when he had first heard it, it was back when he woke up in the infirmary at the Baron's home.
The cold voice belonged to none other than Astra.
Wein complied.
"Scanning Successful. Welcome Lieutenant Wein Serin"
The front doors suddenly slid open automatically and Wein approached, as he stepped inside, his footsteps echoed in the empty home. The interior was cold and sterile, its high ceiling and structure reminded him of the homes of the important people he once guarded as a Trooper.
Truly this would be a life far different than he was accustomed to.